Manchester United full-back Luke Shaw is reportedly prepared to leave the club next summer, if his first-team opportunities do not improve.

Manchester United could lose talented defender Luke Shaw on a free transfer next summer, if his first-team prospects do not improve in the upcoming season, according to reports from ESPN.

The 23-year old has been with the Red Devils for four years now, having arrived from Southampton in 2014, in a £30 million deal. However, he has failed to live up to the initial expectations, struggling to nail down a starting spot in the line-up at Old Trafford.

Shaw’s opportunities with the first-team took a hit since the arrival of Jose Mourinho at the club in 2016. The England international managed to just make eight Premier League starts in the 2017/18 season and appeared 23 times in total across all competitions, which cost him a place in England’s 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

There were reports of a fallout between the player and the manager during the last campaign, with Mourinho criticizing the Englishman in the media on a number of occasions.

And reports of United chasing Juventus left-back Alex Sandro aggressively, didn’t help the matter either. However, it was understood that the Portuguese was willing to give the 23-year old another shot at proving himself in the next season.

Time running out for Shaw at Manchester United (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Time running out for Shaw at Manchester United (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Manchester United decided to trigger a one-year extension option in Shaw’s deal earlier this January, securing his services until the next summer. And the club are believed to be keen on ensuring that the former Southampton man prolongs his stay at the club.

The 23-year old himself is understood to be determined to prove himself to the manager and establish himself as the first-choice left-back. However, Shaw is prepared to depart from the Old Trafford next summer, when his deal runs out, should his chances with the first-team don’t improve.

The seven-time capped England international saw veteran Ashley Young establish himself as the first-choice over the last term, while at times Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind were also preferred over him.

The club have further strengthened the full-back department with the signing of Diogo Dalot from FC Porto this summer and continue to be linked with Sandro, with reports claiming that the Mancunians have agreed terms with the Brazilian over a summer move.

However, Blind is closing in on a return to former club Ajax and Darmian also is expected to leave this summer. Add to it, the fact that Young is set to miss the start of the season owing to his involvement in the World Cup, will provide Shaw with the perfect opportunity to make a strong impression and stake a claim for a regular starting berth under Jose.

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